P. Djèlí Clark

This historical horror was somehow a complete surprise to me even though I've read Clark's other novels/novellas, but one thing came as no surprise: I loved it. Clark's fast-paced story-telling combined with his talent for living, breathing characters and intricate world-building came through on every page. Admittedly, I wouldn't have minded more spots slowing down so that I could live in the story with the characters a bit more, but this was a gorgeous thrill of a ride that ran at the seams with history.

I'd recommend it to any horror lover, and even to historical fiction lovers who simply want to dip into horror to see what's there.… (mer)

This book is so much fun. I love P. Djèlí Clark's writing, it is fast paced and evocative and shot through with crackling humour. Eveen is an undead assassin, with no memory of who she was before her soul was given over to the goddess of knives, but she ends up face to face with... her own face? on what should have been a routine assignment. This triggers a hair raising time sensitive quest to find out the truth and see if it can be undone, with her fellow assassins on her tail and the city's magic running high.

There is blood, and death, and assassinations, and demon dogs who eat people, but the tone never becomes too grim. It is so well balanced with humor and burgeoning friendships and I highly recommend it. I need to go read the rest of the author's books right now. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review… (mer)